Sundae Sunday Sunday!

PLATTSBURGH - Even if you've always been told you couldn't have dessert until after you finish your dinner, there's at least one day out of the year where that whole idea is thrown out the window - and for one special reason.

"Eat Dessert First: A Celebration of Life," explained event coordinator Stacey Lafave, is hosted each year by the FitzPatrick Cancer Center on the CVPH Medical Center grounds as a way to celebrate National Cancer Survivorship Day.

"It's something that's been done probably 20 plus years on the national level and this year will be our 17th year doing our version of it," said Lafave. "It's a celebration of people, of survivorship."

Each year, the event features entertainment and, of course, an assortment of desserts.

"The whole idea behind it is that sometimes you just have to live life," said Lafave.

Lorna Marx, Beekmantown, has been coming to the event for the past 14 years, ever since she was first diagnosed with and overcame uterine sarcoma at the age of 46.

"I thought it was a death sentence," said Marx. "I think most people think that when they think about cancer. But, that's not always the case."

Marx underwent treatment and surgery for her cancer and was found to be cancer-free six weeks later. That was something worth celebrating, she said, leading her to attend her first "Eat Dessert First" that year.

"It was really positive," Marx recalled of the event. "It was great to see people who were five-, 10-, 20-year survivors." The event was so positive, it's kept Marx coming back each year, she said.

"It's always been a good event with great entertainment," she said. "It encourages people in similar circumstances and gives them a chance to get together. It's a good reminder that people do survive cancer and they can survive for a long time."

This year's "Eat Dessert First" will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. this Sunday, June 12, on the front lawn of CVPH Medical Center, 75 Beekman St. The featured performer will be Marco the Magnificent. The event is underwritten by Condo Pharmacy, Marty's Carpet, Nine Platt Hospitality Group, the Prescription Shoppe, and the American Cancer Society.